Providence Juniorate (Aspirancy) Saint Mary of the Woods, Ind.

Former students of the Providence Juniorate/Aspirancy will reunite at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods June 27, 2014.

The reunion begins with 9:30 a.m. registration in Providence Center and a gathering in O’Shaughnessy Dining Room.

Mass at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch in O’Shaughnessy around 12:30 p.m.. The reunion program will end “formally” around 3 p.m., with people staying as long as they wish to visit.

The registration deadline for this even has passed. If you have questions or need to make changes to your registration, please call the Sisters of Providence Mission Advancement at 812-535-2800.

Alumnae are invited to bring memorabilia from their time in the Juniorate/Aspirancy. Please label with your name and bring to registration for a memories table. It will be your responsibility to pick up your memorabilia as you leave at the end of the day.

Alumnae groups are welcome to prepare a parody or skit in advance for presentation during the 2 p.m. open discussion.

Keep in touch!

The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Providence Juniorate/Aspirancy has an active group on Facebook. You must send a request to join. Get started here!

History of the Providence Juniorate/Aspirancy

In 1930, Mother Mary Raphael Slattery, having closed Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Academy and moved it to Ladywood in Indianapolis, planned to open Providence Juniorate at Saint Mary of the Woods. The institution of minor seminaries had become an accepted phase of clerical life in the United States, and many communities of women religious were led to open similar high schools in connection with their novitiates. Providence Juniorate (or Aspirancy, as it was renamed after the initiation of the Sister Formation Program) became accredited and was eminently successful through the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. The Fathers of Vatican II addressed reforms in seminary life and suggested that future seminarians do normal activities in high school and have frequent contact with their families. The sisters also began to recommend that young women interested in religious life attend high school at home. Diocesan high schools were becoming plentiful. For this reason, the Aspirancy closed in 1965. Almost 900 young women had received all or part of their education there. Thirty eight percent entered the Novitiate and 75 percent remained to become professed members of the Congregation.